This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

Knowing whether your dog has a fever gives you the option to start treatment early and prevent her condition from getting worse. Although the only way to accurately know if your dog has a fever is by using a rectal thermometer, knowing how to feel a dog’s temperature quickly when you do not have a thermometer can make a big difference.

Steps

Part 1

Assessing Your Dog's Temperature

1

Feel your dog’s ears and paws. A dog with fever usually has very hot ears and paws. You can gauge his temperature by using sensitive body parts like your cheeks and the back of your hands over his ears and paws. Are his warmer than yours? Healthy dogs only run slightly higher in temperature than humans.

A dog's ears and paws have a lot of blood vessels. When he has a fever, these areas get hot because of the migration of immune cells from the blood into the areas of the body where an infection is taking place. The increase in the circulating immune cells in the blood can manifest as heat in the blood vessels.

It is unusual for the left and right ear to be different temperatures. If one ear is warmer than the other, this is usually a sign of a localized ear infection, rather than a generalized fever.

2

Feel your dog's nose. If your dog has a hot nose lined with greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, it's likely he has a fever and an infection.[1] This could mean that your dog is fighting off a respiratory infection, though this may be evident only in more serious cases. Certain diseases like distemper and kennel cough have these clinical signs, too. Therefore it is incredibly important that you quickly bring your dog to the vet if you see greenish or yellowish nasal discharges.

A normal dog can have a fluctuating temperature and level of wetness – it's a myth that dog noses are always cold and wet. In fact, the nose often becomes dry from common situations, such as lying in the sun, sleeping near the radiator, exercising, or when the dog is dehydrated. What does your dog's nose normally feel like? Has he done any of these things recently to account for a dry, hot nose?

3

Feel your dog’s armpits and groin area. These areas are usually swollen and hot when your dog has an infection and fever. You can use the back of your hands to feel for heat in the lymph nodes in the armpits and groin area. However, make sure your own hands are at room temperature, not chilled or hot, as they provide your reference point.

Lymph nodes contain immune cells that fight bacteria and viruses. They filter the blood against these infectious organisms, and when there is an infection, the lymph nodes serve as a defense area. This area then becomes filled with immune cells that secrete different substances that trigger the brain to cause fever. These areas become swollen and hot because they become inflamed as a result of the different immune reactions going on simultaneously.

Because the armpit and groin areas of the dog have a lot of exposed skin with very little fur, feeling for heat in these areas can be done easily.

4

Examine his gums. Your dog's gums may feel warm and dry if he has a fever. Another important sign to watch for here is his gums appearing redder than usual, especially a bright brick red. This can be a sign of high fever, or even septicemia.

In a dog without dental disease, the gums should be moist, shiny, and a similar pink color to our own gums. Lift up the dog’s lip behind the upper canine tooth, and place the tip of your forefinger against the gum to assess temperature and moistness. Is the color, heat, and moistness similar to yours? If not, infection may be present.

5

Check for signs of low temperature. An unwell dog, or one in shock, may have a low body temperature. In addition to having cold extremities, the dog may show physiological temperature adaptations such as shaking or getting goosebumps. A dog with a dangerously low temperature will also be very subdued, and possibly collapsed. In this case, seek out your vet immediately.

Be aware that not all shaking dogs are cold; this can also be a response to stress, anxiety or pain. If you know of no reason for your dog to be acting like this, contact your vet as soon as possible.

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Part 1 Quiz

Why is the armpit or groin area a good place to check your dog for a fever?

They have a lot of blood vessels.

Not quite! Areas like the ears and paws have a lot of blood vessels, and are also good spots for checking a pup for fever because of that. There are other reasons why an armpit or groin might help diagnose your furry friend. Guess again!

You can see discoloration on the skin.

Try again! Discoloration in a dog's gums is a sign of high fever or even something more extreme. Dogs have gums that look like ours, so if your pup has bright red or irritated looking gums, contact your veterinarian immediately. Try again...

There isn't much fur.

That's right! The groin and armpit areas are less furry than the rest of your pet, making it easier to diagnosis if they're running hot. These areas will be swollen and hot because of the influx of lymph nodes working to treat the illness. Read on for another quiz question.

These areas show signs of stress, and can help you eliminate or confirm anxiety in your pet.

Nope! It's definitely a good idea to determine if your pet is shaking or uncomfortable because of a stresser, like fireworks or other animals, or if the shaking is a sign of fever and chills. A lot of this has to do with knowing your dog and responding to their behavior. Don't be afraid to act though, and if your dog does faint from cold, bring them to a veterinarian immediately. Choose another answer!

Part 2

Assessing Your Dog's Appearance

1

Look for the other signs of fever. Apart from physical temperature, one of the first things you can do is to observe your dog for other physical signs of fever. It's important to be alert for changes in normal behavior from having difficulty defecating, to coughing or sneezing, since this may provide vital information as to the seat of infection.[2] Possible symptoms include:[3]

Poor appetite

Lethargy, sluggishness or inactivity

Weakness

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Sleeping all day

Withdrawing away from other dogs

2

Observe your dog's appearance and behavior. When a dog runs a significant fever, from a few feet away and without touching him, you can feel heat radiating from his body. There will be a handful of other visible symptoms you can look for, too:

He is likely to be panting heavily for prolonged periods of time, and his breath will feel hot against your cheek.

He may be thirsty and drink more water than usual, because he loses fluid as he pants.

A fever can make joints feel achy and sore. In the dog this manifests itself as a reluctance to exercise, stiffness on rising and a stilted gait or even lameness.

A dog with a fever will be withdrawn, quiet and lethargic. He may become uncharacteristically aggressive when touched, because he feels uncomfortable and irritable.

He is less likely to groom and his coat will appear unkempt and "starry," or dull and dry.

3

Stroke, pet, and engage your dog in play. Try to remember the feel of your dog’s body when he is not sick. Are his eyes dull? His coat less silky? Is he less rambunctious and eager than usual? Changes in these physical and behavioral characteristics may be a sign of illness.

4

If he seems well, assess him again in an hour. If the dog is behaving naturally, is hot but seems otherwise well, let him rest in a cool place for an hour and then re-check his temperature again to see if the signs you did detect have normalized. Since a fever is a normal immune response, it may just be something you have to wait out if it's not serious.

Remember, if the temperature of the dog’s extremities is raised and he is behaving abnormally, this is more likely to be significant than for a warm dog that appears otherwise well. It's infection you need to be worried about, not fever.

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Part 2 Quiz

What is a non-physical sign of fever in a dog?

Your dog drinks more water than usual.

Close! It is important to take into account external factors, like heat and humidity, but if it looks like your dog is drinking an abnormal amount of water, stay on alert. There are definitely other signs to look for, however. Choose another answer!

Your dog doesn't move as much.

Try again! Joint stiffness and discomfort are definitely signs to watch for if you think your dog might be ill, but check for other underlying causes and keep an eye out for more symptoms. Guess again!

Your dog is acting aggressive.

Almost! Discomfort or fever might cause an otherwise peaceful dog to lash out, but there could be other factors at play. Consider keeping in mind all symptoms and comparing them for an underlying cause as to why your dog is behaving aggressively. Try another answer...

All of the above.

Correct! If you see all of these symptoms together, or other symptoms, like dull fur or lethargy, there's a good chance your dog isn't feeling well and should be taken to a medical professional to treat the underlying cause. Read on for another quiz question.

Part 3

Understanding Fever in Dogs

1

Know that fever is a normal immune response. In most situations, fever is nothing to worry about. It's a good indicator that the body is fighting back an infection or is undergoing repairs. In some situations, however, fever can be the sign of a bacterial infection. If your dog is displaying any abnormal symptoms, contact your vet immediately.

When bacterial infections with gram negative bacteria are present, they release toxins from their cell walls that act as signals to the brain to cause fever. In these cases severe bacterial infection can lead to even more severe fever with a very high temperature.[4] This extreme temperature, instead of helping the animal can lead to damages to sensitive organs, like the testicles and the brain. When this happens, convulsions and coma, and sometimes sterility, can result. Thus it is very important that a fever be detected earlier, and a prompt veterinary therapy be given to prevent these unwanted effects.

2

Call the vet. When in doubt, contact your vet for a professional opinion. In addition to seeking medical treatment if abnormal symptoms are present, it's a good idea to take this fever seriously if it lasts for more than 24 hours, too. Your vet can prescribe an anti-pyretic (anti-fever) medication to bring his temperature down almost immediately.

3

Consider other related physical ailments. If your dog's fever is related to another, often more serious, condition, you'll notice another set of symptoms entirely. It could be a more serious respiratory or gastro-intestinal infection. Be on the lookout for the following:

If he has a respiratory infection he may cough, sneeze, and have a runny nose or streaming eyes. This will likely impede his normally rambunctious behavior and sleep patterns, too.

If he has gastro-intestinal infection or inflammation, then he may be anorexic, vomit or have diarrhea. If you suspect he has a gastro-intestinal disturbance, follow him outside when he toilets so that you can see what he passes. Does he have diarrhea? Is there blood in his urine?

If you notice anything abnormal related to either condition, consult your vet immediately. There is likely an infection present; fever is just one of many symptoms present that need to be addressed.

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Part 3 Quiz

When might a dog's fever be a sign of a more serious bacterial infection?

When your dog is being lethargic or doesn't play.

Not necessarily! Lethargy in a dog might just be a sign of a good old-fashioned fever. It's still important to keep an eye on your pup, in case something more serious develops, but it's not necessary to worry just yet. Guess again!

When your dog drinks a lot and sits in the shade.

Try again! If a dog is cooling himself down by panting, he will get thirsty quickly. Drinking more water and cooling down in the shade are most likely signs he's just hot, but it's still smart to keep an eye on him, in case something more serious occurs. Guess again!

Your dog isn't eating.

That's right! Anorexia, vomiting or blood in the urine are all signs of a gastro-intestinal infection or inflammation in your poor pup. If you believe this to be the underlying cause, or if you're unsure, get medical attention for your dog right away. Read on for another quiz question.

Community Q&A

Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

Not necessarily. If your dog gets warm during the night, he will lose eat best from the parts of his body that have the thinnest fur, ie his belly. When you place a hand on his belly it will therefore feel warm to the touch, but this is heat being dissipated rather than his gut generating heat because he is unwell. Watch for signs such as lack of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, which would indicate he is poorly.

Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

Yes. The body produces chemicals known as Tumor Necrosis Factors (TNF). These cause cell death and inflammation, and is often accompanied by a fever. Also, having a tumor weakens the immune system and makes the dog more vulnerable to secondary infections. Either way, it's a good idea to talk to your vet about an anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics.

My eight-year-old Shih Tzu is shivering and has lost weight. What could be wrong?

L DC

Community Answer

Perhaps you are feeding it the wrong food. When my dog was just out of his puppy years, he almost completely stopped eating and lost weight. He started shivering because his body didn't have enough energy to keep him warm. He also had Colitis. Then we put him on a food called Chappie. I would personally recommend the wet food but Chappie also does dry food so try both and she what works for your dog. My dog is now six and he has Chappie wet food with dry food sprinkled on top. So I would recommend a change in food, and go from there.

At least once a year, but it is a good idea to go even 2-3 times a year. You should go to the vet if your dog is bleeding/vomiting severely, urinating blood, has seizures, animal bites, or any life threatening or harmful injury. Just use common sense and you should be okay.

My dog just stopped eating. He's just sleeping and being nonactive. I think he may have a slight fever, but he isn't panting, and his gums look good. He's usually so full of life. What should I do?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

More info is needed to answer your question, but in general you need to check: Is your dog drinking water? If so, is it more or less? If your dog doesn't drink for over 24 hours, get him to a vet! Is your dog peeing? More or less than usual? Is your dog pooping? If so, is it soft or runny? Keep track. Are there any signs of blood in the urine or stool? If so, get your dog to the vet! Is your dog acting dazed or "out-of-it"? Confusion could be signs of a fever. If not any of these, then: do you hear any stomach growling or gurgling coming from your dog? It could be a digestive upset that's happening and your dog doesn't want to eat for a day or two, but more than 3 days call the vet. The more info you have the better.

Tips

It is normal for even for healthy dogs to have an elevated temperature after exercise and to be lethargic, so let your dog rest first. Give him water to cool down before feeling for his temperature and assessing his physical condition.

Unfortunately, there is no completely accurate way of taking a dog’s temperature besides using a reliable and well calibrated rectal thermometer. If you do manage to find one, know that for dogs, a normal rectal temperature is between 38.4°C to 39.4°C (101°-103°F).[2] If it is above 39.4°C, the dog is considered to have a fever.

Although taking a dog's temperature does require a thermometer, you can look for signs that indicate your dog may have a fever or infection. For example, use the back of your hands to check if its ears, paws, armpits, or groin area feel hot or swollen. Next, look at your dog’s nose to see if it has a green or yellow discharge. You can also examine its gums to see if they feel warm or dry, or look redder than usual. If your dog shows any of these signs, call your vet to see if you should bring your dog in for treatment. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to recognize the behavioral signs of a high or low temperature, read on!

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Article Info

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

"This article told me everything I needed to know about my dog's temperature and where to feel (under armpits/belly). Now realize dogs' body temperatures fluctuate, and now I know to go to wikiHow for help every time. Thank you."..." more

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Nonie Leibman

Jan 20

"My 7-year-old golden retriever suddenly fell to the floor and seemed partially paralyzed, but was stretching her arm out at me with a "help me" look in her eyes. I thought it was a seizure, but it seemed to last too long. I Googled "dog stroke" and found answers here."..." more

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Melissa Coe

Dec 30, 2018

"I know how to keep my dog's wound clean until I can take her to the vet, and I know how to keep her safe and what to watch for."..." more

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T. Bahr

Jun 19, 2016

"Our 5 year old Aussie developed a fever after antibiotic treatment for a molar abscess. Best advice, take rectal & ear temps & noting the correlation. Then we knew we could trust our “ear” thermometer readings Max appreciates no more rectal readings!"..." more

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Annette Davies

Oct 9, 2017

"This was all very accurate information. My dog has been through so much the past 6 months. Sadly he has passed. Very glad there is information for people like me to find some more answers to these awful symptoms. The vets did all they could. I miss him."..." more

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Sierra Hill

Oct 20, 2017

"Thank you, I felt like my yellow lab Buddy might have a fever. I checked for the signs, and it turns out he had a fever. I took him to the vet and Buddy got the medicine. He is feeling much better now, very playful and happy. Thank you."..." more

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Rachel Guzman

Apr 9, 2016

"My dog had diarrhea and was warmer than usual. I don't have a thermometer, so just reading this article helped me a lot."..." more

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Janenne Clarl

Mar 9, 2017

"This information was very helpful to be able to judge my dog's well being. I do a lot of health care on my own. "

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Nikki Manning

Oct 2, 2017

"I was able to find the questions about symptoms in a dog that is sick or running a fever. Very knowledgeable."

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DK Golden

May 6, 2017

"The article was very informative, explaining what to look for and how to tell if your dog is sick."

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Apr 22, 2017

"It was very informative, with lots of options for care before having to seek a vet. Thank you! "

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Caroline Brown

Feb 12, 2017

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Elaine Hursen

Aug 23, 2017

"Thank you for sharing specific tips for assessing a fever/infection in a dog."

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Sep 14, 2016

"Thorough and comprehensive article. Easy to understand. Very helpful."